The Queen Victoria Market (also known as the Queen Vic Markets or the Queen Vic, and locally as '"Vic Market"') is a major landmark in Melbourne, Australia, and at around seven hectares (17 acres) is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere. The Market is significant to Melbourne's culture and heritage and has been listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. The Market is named after Queen Victoria who ruled the British Empire, from 1837 to 1901.
The Queen Victoria Market is the only surviving 19th century market in the Melbourne central business district. There were once three major markets in the Melbourne CBD, but two of them, the Eastern Market and Western Market, both opened before the Queen Victoria, closed in the 1960s. It also forms part of an important collection of surviving Victorian markets which includes the inner suburban Prahran Market and South Melbourne Market.
History edit
In February 1859 'a deputation' visited the Crowns Lands office 'for the purpose of representing... the ineligibility of the present site chosen for a fruit and vegetable market in Elizabeth Street'[1]. They referred to earlier committees on the issue when the views of 'a great number of market-gardeners were examined' and 'their testimony was strongly in favor of the site for a market' on the large gaol reserve at the corners of Swanston and Victoria streets.[1] The deputation, foreshadowing later market expansion, argued that the gaol site offered more land and was supported by a petition of 700 to 800 but the Lands Office referred to the Governor's concerns for 'the security of prisoners' and dismissed their complaint[1].
Despite official support, the location remained unpopular and it functioned only as an adjunct to the established city markets. In a report on the Eastern Market in May 1859, it was still unnamed. When The Argus noted that 'unsold hay' would be moved twice a week to other 'market reserves' it was to Collingwood 'or in Elizabeth-Street, opposite the Stork Hotel'[2]. A few months later, while the Town Council gave the Eastern Market news gas lights, the future Queen Victoria site was only worthy of a 'post and chain fence'[3].
Starting as a small market to the east of the city in the 1850s, it gradually expanded into space made available by the closure of the old Melbourne Cemetery west of Queen Street and north of Franklin Street. The reinterment of human remains from the closure of the cemetery caused a great deal of controversy at the time.[4] As there were about 10,000 burials on the site, there still remain approximately 9,000 people buried under the sheds and car park of the Queen Victoria Market.[5] Every time work is carried out at the market, bones are disturbed. A memorial to these people stands on the corner of Queen Street and Therry Street. The Queen Victoria Market was officially opened on 20 March 1878.[6] The Market was originally wholesale and retail fruit and vegetables, but has been retail since the wholesale market in Footscray Road was opened in 1969.
Attempts to close the market in the early 1970s were scuttled by bans conducted by the Builder Labourers' Federation and community groups.
The market was once known as a thriving underground pirated goods centre. A massive crackdown in 1997[7] has helped to clean up the market's image, but has also resulted in an increase in prices for these types of goods.
In 2003, the roofs of the market were equipped with 1,328 solar photovoltaic panels, covering 2000 square metres and generating 252,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, the largest such renewable energy installation in the City of Melbourne.[8] The grid has been considered as the largest urban grid-connected solar photovoltaic installation in the Southern Hemisphere upon completion.[9]
Today edit
Today, the Market is a major Melbourne tourist destination, offering a variety of fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood, gourmet and deli foods as well as specialty delicacies. It also has a large non-food related market, selling a diverse range of clothing, shoes, jewellery and handmade art and crafts.
The market is also known for the hot doughnut van which has operated for over half a century and become part of local tradition, being known for its jam donuts.[10]
The Market is open every day of the week except Mondays and Wednesdays. On Wednesday evenings in the summer months, there is a night market which offers dining, bars, live entertainment and a variety of other stalls.
In January 2010, the Herald Sun reported that city planners wanted to transform the market into a "gourmet hub" by introducing upmarket food stalls.[11] Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said he brought up the idea after visiting London's Borough Market, which has a "boutique" feel that could work in Melbourne.
Notes edit
- ^ a b c "DEPUTATIONS". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 26 February 1859. p. 5. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
- ^ "THE EASTERN MARKET". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 13 May 1859. p. 7. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
- ^ "CITY COUNCIL". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 12 July 1859. p. 6. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
- ^ Brown-May, Andrew & Swain, Shurlee (2005) The Encyclopedia Of Melbourne, page 583. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-84234-4
- ^ http://home.vicnet.net.au/~pioneers/pppg5z.htm
- ^ On This Day: 1870s, Parliament of Victoria.
- ^ Anti Counterfeiting Action Group
- ^ The Age, March 11, 2003
- ^ http://www.c40cities.org/bestpractices/renewables/melbourne_solar.jsp
- ^ "A hot piece of history". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax. 2004-02-05. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
- ^ Sunday Herald Sun, 03 January, 2010
References edit
- Fyfe, Melissa (2003-03-11). "Has the sun set on solar power?". The Age. Melbourne. p. 11. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link) - Hastie, David (2010-01-03). "Traders attack boutique market plan". Sunday Herald Sun. p. 26. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
External links edit
37°48′25″S 144°57′24″E / 37.806966°S 144.956693°E
Category:Retail markets in Melbourne Category:Landmarks in Melbourne Category:1858 establishments in Australia